Baseball bat with body and modified training grip

ABSTRACT

A baseball bat having a body portion and a handle portion which includes a pair of substantially planar regions spaced and inclined toward the midline of the handle portion. The grip improves batter skill and technical ability by teaching proper batting technique. The barrel of the baseball bat is configured to allow for repositioning and replacement of the barrel section of the bat if the barrel is damaged, to enable more even wear and tear on the portion of the barrel that comes in contact with a baseball, or to modify the performance level of the bat. The two segments of the bat may be securely connected via one end of the first segment having exterior threading received by the hollowed end of the second segment having interior threading, or by an independent coupling element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to baseball and softball bats, and more particularly, to bats that are designed to improve the hitting technique of the player and allow the bat to be reconfigured by using barrel replacements. This enables the user to change the performance level of the bat, increase the longevity of the bat, and allow for barrel replacement should the barrel become damaged or stressed as a result of frequent use or hitting technique.

BACKGROUND

Numerous sports such as baseball, softball, cricket, golf, tennis, racquetball, etc. require the hitting of a first, often rounded object, with a second device such as a bat or racket, and in each of these sports proper grip on the second device is critical to achieving the proper result. For example, in baseball, correct batting technique, including proper grip, is essential to increasing a batter's power and accuracy resulting in maximum distance and proper trajectory of the baseball after impact with the baseball bat. Training is vital to achieve maximum performance and many training devices are known in the art which are designed to capitalize on proper baseball hitting technique. When training, it is critical to find a balance between bat modification and player comfort, while being mindful of the ease with which a player may transition from a training bat to a bat of traditional shape and proportion.

Traditional baseball and softball bats have a circular cross section that is wider at the upper portion of the bat which is used to strike the baseball as compared to the handle portion of the bat. A gradual taper between the upper and handle portions of the bat causes this decrease in the diameter of the cross section. Early manufactured bats were made of a single piece of solid wood. As the sport developed, aluminum and composite bats were introduced. While the force at impact of a baseball on the ball generates a compression of both the bat and baseball, the compression on the bats manufactured of hollow aluminum and composites is more notable than the compression on solid wooden bats. Specifically, with respect to bats manufactured of aluminum or composite materials, this deformation, commonly referred to as the “trampoline effect”, enables some of the collision energy stored in the baseball to be converted into kinetic energy, causing the baseball to travel farther and faster than when hit with a solid wooden bat. Generally, the thinner the walls of the bat barrel, the greater the trampoline effect and resulting improved speed and distance. However, wall thickness is directly proportional to bat durability. The thinner the bat walls, the shorter the useful life of the bat. It is common for bats to be damaged within 50-500 hits. As a result, bat manufacturers must find a balance between achieving the optimal bat performance and durability.

Numerous attempts have been made to balance improved durability of bats and the modification of the performance level of the bat. Fuji U.S. Pat. No. 3,963,239 suggests a baseball bat comprising a hollow metallic tube having a large batting portion for hitting a ball, the inside of which contains a cylindrical reinforcing member for enhancing the batting effect or increasing the impact resistance when the bat strikes the ball. However, the exterior surface of the barrel is still subject to wear and tear from repeated use and the entire bat must be replaced upon failure of the batting portion.

Another example is Forsythe, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,429, which provides for a baseball bat with replaceable barrel, thus allowing players to change the performance level of the bat. Although this invention discloses barrel replacement, it does not encompass the modified handle shape claimed in the present invention.

In addition to barrel durability and performance, another concern has been developing bats that teach players proper batting technique, most importantly proper grip, in order to improve location and trajectory control by the batter. Such skills are important to success in the game of baseball, and are not usually achieved without much practice and good coaching.

Modifications to the structural form of the bat to improve the performance of batters are also well known in the relevant art. For example, Wells, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,973, which is incorporated herein by reference, suggests a specially formed, triangular-shaped handle which ensures that the batter's hands are in proper alignment when gripping the bat and that the bat remains in the fingers of the batter, rather than in the palms of the batter. Such a grip improves swing speed, trajectory, and location control. In addition the Wells et al. design teaches the batter to respond to the signals imparted by contact with the baseball though each swing. As disclosed, Wells et al. includes “a body portion having a targeted area of intended contact with a baseball, often referred to as the ‘sweet spot.’” Of course, constantly hitting this “sweet spot” on one side of the bat will lead to uneven wear on one side of the bat. Specifically, the unique grip of the Wells et al. bat has a primary shortcoming in that the design prevents a batter from rotating the bat to distribute hits around the barrel, compromising the durability and longevity of the bats. Effectively, this compromise of the bat integrity by using the same portion of the bat for impact can result in the bat experiencing half of its useable life.

While the aforementioned apparatuses are generally suitable for a particular purpose, such apparatuses are not sufficiently suitable for the purpose discussed in the present invention. It is this primary shortcoming in Wells et al. which leads to the disclosure of the present invention and it is clear that there exists a need in the art for an improved bat that overcomes these problems and progresses the state of the art, as well as one that provides the additional benefits enumerated in the present application. Particularly, the present invention provides a novel solution to the uneven wear of a portion of the barrel of a bat when utilizing the Wells et al. handle and grip.

Overview

As a result of the developments and the shortcomings in the known art in the respective field, a baseball bat is disclosed according to the present invention employing and improving upon the improved handle and grip disclosed in Wells et al. U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,973. Particularly, a baseball bat according to the present invention is comprised of at least two distinct segments: a handle section and a body portion. The handle portion includes a pair of substantially planar regions spaced and inclined toward the midline of the handle portion. The length and width of the handle can be of varying sizes so that players of different ages, sizes, and skill levels can utilize the present invention. The bat of the present invention is ideally comprised of metal, though can also be comprised of wood or a composite material known and commonly employed in the art.

The body portion of the baseball bat includes a target area of contact with the baseball known as the “sweet spot.” This section of the bat may be rotated and attached to the above-described handle so that a player may select the performance level of the bat while utilizing the advantages of the handle. Additionally, different body elements may be substituted quickly and easily should the bat barrel become damaged during play.

It is contemplated by the present invention that the handle portion and the body segment of the bat may be connected in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the handle portion may have a cylindrical protrusion extending from the proximal end of the handle segment, said cylindrical protrusion having exterior threading. The body element of the bat has at the proximal end a hollowed section comprising interior threading such that it may receive the threaded protrusion of the handle segment.

A second embodiment of the connection between the handle portion and the body portion of the bat employs a coupler element. Both the proximal end of the handle portion and the body segment terminate in threaded cylindrical protrusions. A cylindrical coupling element having interior threading serves as the connection piece between the handle portion and the body segment.

A third embodiment of the connection element between the handle portion and the body portion of the bat comprises tubing buttons. The tubing buttons extend from the center of the bat, through holes positioned approximately 180° degrees apart on the circular cross-section of both the handle portion and the body section of the bat.

A fourth embodiment of the connection between the handle portion and the body portion of the bat employs a couple element. Both the proximal end of the handle portion and the body portion terminate in hollowed sections comprising interior threading. The coupler element is cylindrical in shape, both ends having cylindrical protrusions having exterior threading such that they may be received by the threaded portions of the handle and body segments of the bat.

A detailed description of the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, techniques of manufacture and resulting structures in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiment. Consequently, the specific structural details disclosed herein are merely representative, yet in that regard, they are deemed to represent suitable implementations for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein, which define the scope of the present invention. Moreover, well known methods, procedures, and substances for both carrying out the objectives of the present invention and illustrating the preferred embodiment are incorporated herein but have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure novel aspects of the present invention.

The handle portion of a bat of the present invention may also have a thin, non-compressible layer which will improve the user's grip on the handle. The thin, non-compressible layer may have a tacky surface to further enhance the user's grip.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the present invention and the objectives other than those set forth above can be obtained by reference to the various implementations set forth in the illustrations of the accompanying figures. Although the illustrated implementations disclose certain aspects of the present invention, the apparatus and method of use of the invention, in general, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, may be more easily understood by reference to the drawings, examples, and the following description. The examples and figures are not intended to limit the scope of this invention, which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or as subsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention. The detailed description makes reference to the accompanying figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a baseball bat of the present invention, wherein the handle and barrel portions of the bat are connected via a coupling element. While FIG. 1 shows an independent coupling mechanism, it is contemplated by the present invention that the handle portion and the body segment of the bat may be connected in a directly without the use of a separate coupling element. For example, the handle portion may have a cylindrical protrusion extending from the proximal end of the handle segment, said cylindrical protrusion having exterior threading. The body element of the bat has at the proximal end a hollowed section comprising interior threading such that it may receive the threaded protrusion of the handle segment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded sectional side view of the fittings used to connect the barrel to the handle in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1, comprising the handle portion of the bat, the coupling element, and the barrel portion of the bat.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a baseball bat of the present invention, wherein the handle and barrel portions of the bat are connected via double-ended tubing buttons.

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional side view of the mechanism used to connect the barrel to the handle in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 3, comprising the handle portion of the bat, double-ended tubing buttons, and the barrel portion of the bat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A baseball bat 116, according to the present invention, is shown in FIG. 1 to include a body portion 112, comprised primarily of a barrel 100, which is intended for contact with a baseball as a result of a player swinging the baseball bat 116, and a handle potion 106 joined via a cylindrical coupler 108 to the body potion 112, which is intended to allow for a player to grasp the baseball bat 116. The barrel 100 has a target area intended for contact with the baseball, known within the art as the “sweet spot” 102. The barrel 100 may be comprised of a hollow cylinder fabricated from metal (such as aluminum) or composites (such as graphite fiber, fiberglass, or aramid fibers in a polymer matrix). The barrel 100 may also be formed out of wood or other known material or future material which is known or becomes known in the art for the construction of baseball bats.

The handle portion 106 includes a pair of substantially planar regions, giving the cross-section of the handle a generally triangular shape. Such a handle is disclosed in Wells, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,973, and is herein incorporated by reference.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 1, handle portion 106 has a handle cylindrical protrusion 110 extending from the proximal end of the handle. The handle cylindrical protrusion 110 includes exterior threading. The proximal end of the body portion 112 of the baseball bat 116 similarly has a body cylindrical protrusion 104 including exterior threading. An exploded sectional side view of this preferred embodiment of the cylindrical coupler 108 used to connect the body portion 112 to the handle portion 106 is depicted in FIG. 2. As shown, cylindrical coupler 108, having interior threading, is designed to connect body portion 112 and handle portion 106, cylindrical coupler 108, by receiving the proximal ends of the body portion 112 and the handle portion 106. Interior and exterior threading of the respective components are designed so that body portion 112 and handle portion 106 securely mate with the use of cylindrical coupler 108 in such a manner so that handle portion 106 can be positioned at one position and turned to one or more alternate positions so that sweet spot 102 of barrel 100 of baseball bat 116 is located in one direction and can be repositioned to at least a second direction. This movement of sweet spot 102 of barrel 100 of baseball bat 116 effectively increases the life expectancy of the bat so that the impact between baseball bat 116 and ball are not always at the same position on barrel 100 of baseball bat 116.

In another embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 3, baseball bat 316 is composed of handle portion 306 and body potion 312. The barrel 300 of body portion 312, is intended for contact with a baseball as a result of a player swinging the baseball bat 316. Handle potion 306 is intended to allow for a player to grasp the baseball bat 316. The barrel 300 has target areas intended for contact with the baseball, known within the art as the “sweet spot” 302. The barrel 300 may be comprised of a hollow cylinder fabricated from metal (such as aluminum) or composites (such as graphite fiber, fiberglass, or aramid fibers in a polymer matrix). The barrel 300 may also be formed out of wood or other known material or future material which is known or becomes known in the art for the construction of baseball bats.

The handle portion 306 includes a pair of substantially planar regions, giving the cross-section of the handle a generally triangular shape. Such a handle, designed as a training aid to ensure proper grip of a baseball bat is disclosed in Wells, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,973, and is herein incorporated by reference.

As shown in FIG. 4, an exploded sectional side view of the mechanism used to connect body portion 312 of the baseball bat 316 of FIG. 3 to the handle portion 306 of the baseball bat 316 of FIG. 3, handle portion 306 has a plurality of holes 320, in this case two holes, positioned 180° apart on the circular cross section. The corresponding body portion 312 of the baseball bat 316 of FIG. 3 likewise has a plurality of corresponding holes 318, in this case two holes, 180° apart on its circular cross section. A double-ended tubing button 308 is contained within the proximal end of the handle portion 306. The double-ended tubing button extends through the holes 320 of the handle portion 306 and the holes 318 of the body portion 312, thereby connecting the two portions to form a secure and stable baseball bat 316. Holes 320 and holes 318 of the respective components are designed so that body portion 312 and handle portion 306 are securely mated with the use of double-ended tubing button 308 in such a manner so that handle portion 306 can be positioned at one position and turned to one or more alternate positions so that sweet spot of barrel 300 of baseball bat 316 is located in one direction and can be repositioned to at least a second direction. This movement of sweet spot of barrel 300 of baseball bat 316 effectively increases the life expectancy of the bat so that the impact between baseball bat 316 and ball are not always at the same position on barrel 300 of baseball bat 316.

While certain aspects of the device are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the system in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the system.

Thus, there has been summarized and outlined, generally in broad form, a plurality of the most important features of the present invention. While this summary is presented so that the novelty of the present contribution to the related art may be better appreciated, it will further be apparent that additional features of the invention described hereinafter (which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto) will further define the scope, novelty, and in certain instances the improvements upon any existing art. The following description provides specific details for a thorough understanding of, and enabling description for, various examples of the technology. One skilled in the art will understand that the technology may be practiced without many of these details and it is to be readily understood that the invention presented herein is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the various figures integrated and categorized herein. For example, in some instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the examples of the technology. It is intended that the terminology used in the description presented below be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain examples of the technology. Although certain terms may be emphasized below, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure of the present invention may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other similar structures, methods and systems for carrying out the various purposes and objectives of the present invention. Thus, the claims as set forth shall allow for such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described herein. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A baseball bat comprising: a body portion including a target area of intended contact with a baseball, a handle portion including a pair of substantially planar regions spaced from each other and inclined toward the midline, each planar region having substantially parallel edges in a central segment of the handle portion, the handle portion including curved surface regions joining the edges of the planar regions to each other, the curved surface regions comprising sectors of a common cylindrical surface, and included regions at each longitudinal end of the planar regions, and a connecting mechanism that joins the handle portion with the body portion.
 2. The baseball bat of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the handle portion further comprises a cylindrical protrusion having exterior threading, the proximal end of the body portion further comprises a cylindrical protrusion having exterior threading, and the connecting mechanism is a cylindrical coupling element, having interior threading to accept the threaded segments of both the handle and body portions of the bat.
 3. The baseball bat of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the handle portion further comprises a series of holes 180° apart on the circular cross section, the proximal end of the body portion further comprises a series of holes 180° apart on the circular cross section, and the connecting mechanism is a double-ended tubing button contained within the handle portion of the bat, the buttons of said double-ended tubing button extend through both the holes of the handle and the barrel.
 4. The baseball bat of claim 1 wherein the proximal ends of the handle portion and the body portion terminate in hollowed sections comprising interior threading, and the connecting mechanism is a cylindrical coupling element, both ends having cylindrical protrusions with exterior threading such that said protrusions may be received by the threaded portions of the handle and body segments of the bat.
 5. The baseball bat of claim 1 wherein said body portion is manufactured of a material selected from the list of aluminum, graphite fiber, fiberglass, aramid fibers, wood, or a combination thereof.
 6. The baseball bat of claim 1 wherein said handle portion is manufactured of a material selected from the list of aluminum, graphite fiber, fiberglass, aramid fibers, wood, or a combination thereof.
 7. The baseball bat of claim 1 wherein said handle portion includes a thin, non-compressible layer of material on the outer surface having an outward-facing tacky surface.
 8. A baseball bat comprising: a handle portion including a pair of substantially planar regions spaced from each other and inclined toward the midline, each planar region having substantially parallel edges in a central segment of the handle portion, the handle portion including curved surface regions joining the edges of the planar regions to each other, the curved surface regions comprising sectors of a common cylindrical surface, and included regions at each longitudinal end of the planar regions, and having a cylindrical protrusion extending from the proximal end of the handle segment, said cylindrical protrusion having exterior threading, and a body portion including a target area of intended contact with a baseball having at the proximal end a hollowed section comprising interior threading such that it may receive the threaded protrusion of the handle segment.
 9. The baseball bat of claim 8 wherein said body portion is manufactured of a material selected from the list of aluminum, graphite fiber, fiberglass, aramid fibers, wood, or a combination thereof.
 10. The baseball bat of claim 8 wherein said handle portion is manufactured of a material selected from the list of aluminum, graphite fiber, fiberglass, aramid fibers, wood, or a combination thereof.
 11. The baseball bat of claim 8 wherein said handle portion includes a thin, non-compressible layer of material on the outer surface having an outward-facing tacky surface.
 12. A baseball bat comprising: a body portion including a target area of intended contact with a baseball, the proximal end of the body portion having cylindrical protrusion with exterior threading, a handle portion including a pair of substantially planar regions spaced from each other and inclined toward the midline, each planar region having substantially parallel edges in a central segment of the handle portion, the handle portion including curved surface regions joining the edges of the planar regions to each other, the curved surface regions comprising sectors of a common cylindrical surface, and included regions at each longitudinal end of the planar regions, and the proximal end of the handle portion having a cylindrical protrusion having exterior threading, and the connecting mechanism is a cylindrical coupling element, having interior threading to accept the threaded segments of both the handle and body portions of the bat.
 13. The baseball bat of claim 12 wherein said body portion is manufactured of a material selected from the list of aluminum, graphite fiber, fiberglass, aramid fibers, wood, or a combination thereof.
 14. The baseball bat of claim 12 wherein said handle portion is manufactured of a material selected from the list of aluminum, graphite fiber, fiberglass, aramid fibers, wood, or a combination thereof.
 15. The baseball bat of claim 12 wherein said handle portion includes a thin, non-compressible layer of material on the outer surface having an outward-facing tacky surface. 